Thinking about moving to Anchorage, Alaska?
It will be no surprise if the thought of living in Anchorage, Alaska, ever crossed your mind. Anchorage is Alaska’s biggest city, with nearly 300,000 residents. This city is the urban centre of Alaska, yet it is also home to eagles and glaciers.
If you are planning to or thinking of moving, here are 5 Moving to Anchorage, Alaska, tips that you can follow along. These tips will help you plan your move and give you ideas of how you can adapt to Anchorage.
1. Things You Need To Know About Anchorage
Before it is too late, let us give you a bit of an idea about what Anchorage is like. In this section, you will also find tips to adapt to the situation.
Traffic in Anchorage, Alaska
Many people in Anchorage live relatively far from their workplace, so they will drive to work. During winters, you can expect some delays in traffic that are caused by accidents in certain areas of the roads.
Tip: Subscribe to Anchorage Police Department’s Nixle text messages to get the latest traffic info if you are driving. Do consider downloading mobile apps to show you alternative routes.
Prepare For The Cold Weather
The Anchorage area is located up north, so you can expect long and harsh winters. This city has a subarctic climate, which means short cool days during summers. For people who love winter, this condition will not be a problem.
The average daytime summer temperatures are between 12.8 to 25.6 °C, and the average daytime winter temperatures range from −15.0 to −1.1 °C. So, if you are moving to Anchorage, be ready with your winter clothes and gear.
Earthquake
Sometimes earthquakes occur in Anchorage, Alaska. The latest big quake was in 2018, with a magnitude of 7.1 Richter scale.
Make sure you’re familiar with the safety precautions to take during an earthquake. The local authorities have an earthquake early warning system to reduce the impact of this natural force.
They will deliver warnings through radio, television, emergency broadcast, smartphone app, and federal Wireless Emergency Alerts system.
2. Find Out Where The Best Neighbourhoods Are
Before arriving in Anchorage, Alaska, it’s best to find the ideal neighbourhood to live in. Here are some of the best areas in Alaska based on people reviews on Niche.com.
South Addition
South Addition is named one of the best areas to live in due to the complete facilities, such as bars, restaurants, parks, and schools. This area is perfect for people of all ages. From young professionals to retirees, South Addition is the preferred neighbourhood for many.
If you plan to own a home in South Addition, the median home value is $463,582. If you’re considering renting a place here, the average rental price is $1,483.
Turnagain
Turnagain has a population of 14,337. This area is a family-friendly neighbourhood. The public schools in Turnagain have high ratings.
Residents of Turnagain are within close proximity to various restaurants, bars, parks, and shops. These amenities make Turnagain the right place to raise a family.
The median home value in this area is not that far from the national average, which is $369,782. Although the median rental price is $1,576, which is far from the national average of $1,062, Turnagain offers a comfortable neighbourhood.
The area is pet-friendly. It is also walkable, so you can walk to restaurants or any public place. You will also find that it is easy to find parking space, and this neighbourhood is quiet.
North Star
North Star is the perfect area for young professionals and new families. This neighbourhood gives you the vibe of a small town with various local businesses. You can find restaurants, bars, and shops easily here.
The median rental price in this area is $1,147, and the median home value is $305,644. Price-wise, this area is indeed suitable for you professionals who have just started their career.
3. Costs Of Living In Anchorage, Alaska
The living cost in Anchorage is high. Overall, the living expense is 28% higher than the national average. It is because most of the daily necessities have to be shipped into Anchorage.
Even so, it does not mean there are no affordable options for your daily spending. The Anchorage residents have ways to cut down their expenses and you can follow their ways, such as buying your necessities in bulk at Costco. Other ways you can do to cut down your spending is by fishing and buying groceries at the farmer’s markets.
4. Never Get Bored In Anchorage
Being in a city with natural wilderness, you will always have things to enjoy during weekends and holidays. Here are three of the things you can do in Anchorage, AK.
Learn About Alaska Native Cultures
Learning can be enjoyable, especially when you learn about the indigenous cultures of Alaska. Visiting Alaska Native Heritage Center will provide you with a good introduction to the 11 major cultures of Alaska.
Rail Travel
Enjoy sightseeing from the train with rail travel. Several providers offer the package of travelling along the Alaska railroad. You can have a one day trip or even longer.
You will enjoy the scenery of Alaska aboard the railroad with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of wine. During this trip, you also have the chance to meet other locals and chat with them.
Flightseeing
One of the most exciting outdoor adventures that you can do in Anchorage is flightseeing. You only need to hop on a plane to enjoy the scenery of Alaska from above.
No matter the season, flightseeing service is available all year round. This activity is also kid-friendly, so you can take your children to witness the natural beauty of Anchorage.
The best time for flightseeing is during the winter months. The landscape in the winter is breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing the abundant wildlife from above will be a memorable adventure for you and your family.
Go To The National Park
One of the best things about living in Anchorage is the access to nature. There are several national parks near Anchorage that offer beautiful scenery of nature and wildlife. Besides that, visitors can do various outdoor activities, such as bear viewing and fishing.
Some of the parks near Anchorage are Katmai National Park, Denali National Park, and Lake Clark National Park. If you are lucky, you may witness a bear catch salmon at the falls along Brooks River.
Of course, there are still other outdoor adventures that you can do in Anchorage aside from what was mentioned above. For example, salmon fishing during summer months, kayaking, hiking, seeing northern lights, and many more.
5. Moving To Anchorage, Alaska: The Valuable Tips You Need
Get Your Home Ready
Of course, you need to get your home ready even before you arrive. If you have already gotten a job before moving to Anchorage, consider asking your officemate to recommend some places for you.
Before you move, you should contact your real estate agent to inform them of your arrival time. It is important to book an appointment with your real estate agent once you arrive.
Write A List And Make Budget
As mentioned before, the cost of living in Anchorage is significantly higher than the national average. Therefore, you need to plan a budget for your moving preparation, the trip, and the first several months in Anchorage.
It is also essential to make a list of things that you will take with you and things that you will leave. This list will help you to prioritise items to pack first.
Contact A Professional Mover
Do not force yourself to bring all the luggage with you. Contact a professional to help you with the shipping of your belongings.
Sanelo has years of experience assisting international and local moves. You can contact us for more detailed information about moving to Anchorage, including the shipping protection information to ensure your belongings arrive at your home safely.
Conclusion About Moving To Anchorage, AK
Anchorage, AK, is a wonderful place. Even the cold winter months in Anchorage can be charming and inviting. Moreover, if you love winter scenery, the winter months are the perfect time to go sightseeing or do any other outdoor activities.
Winter in Anchorage can also be challenging because it causes accidents. Therefore, having a local broadcast that can inform you about traffic conditions is necessary. If you are driving, you should install apps to help you find alternative routes.
More importantly, you need to make a list of things to do and have before moving to Anchorage. This list will help you to sort out things to prioritise, especially during the packing process.
Having a list also will help you to determine your relocation budget. Starting from the budget for the preparation, the moving trip, shipping of your belongings, house or apartment rent, and your living costs in Anchorage.
Another important thing for a better moving trip process, contact Sanelo to ship your belongings. You can consult your needs before starting a quote on our website. There are also information pages to give you information on how Sanelo assists local and international moving.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Anchorage, AK
Is Anchorage A Safe Place To Live?
When living in Anchorage, AK, you can expect to see bears roaming around. Sometimes you can also encounter mountain goats, wolves, and bison.
So, before you move, you need to learn about some precautions to not get injured while living close to nature. Learn from the local anchorage residents to teach you what to do when you encounter the wildlife.
Is It True That I Can Get Paid To Live Here?
The Alaska residents are eligible to receive Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). The amount of PFD that you will receive changes every year. However, it is still helpful considering the higher cost of living in Alaska than the national average.
To get a PFD, you need to apply to be eligible as a recipient. One of the requirements to get PFD is to be a resident in the Alaska area during the calendar year.
Can I Get A Job In Anchorage?
There are plenty of job opportunities in Anchorage, especially if you have past experience in the biggest sectors in Anchorage. These most significant sectors are health care and social assistance, retail, transportation and warehousing.
How Much Should I Earn To Live In Anchorage, AK?
Most Anchorage residents need take-home pay of around $3,300 per month before income tax. It is because the average rental price is about $1,100 for a one-bedroom apartment. This means you’ll probably end up paying more if you move with a family.
Therefore, it is essential to learn how to manage your earnings and find ways to cut down on your expenses. Again, you can learn from the locals you meet at your workplace or in the neighbourhood.
How Do I Get In Touch With A Professional Mover?
Visit the Sanelo website to find the information you need before moving. You can contact us to consult your inquiries, and our team will work out a seamless moving experience for you.
Get in touch with us a couple of months before your moving date. This will give us time to prepare the packing and shipping.
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